Temperature Resistance of Goldfish Maintained Under Controlled Photoperiods

Goldfish maintained under controlled photoperiods for 6 weeks or longer were relatively more resistant to a sudden elevation in temperature when the daily photoperiods had been long (16 hours) and relatively more resistant to sudden chilling when they had been short (8 hours). The magnitude of the effect varied with the season. Thyroid activity was slightly greater in fish maintained under the shorter photoperiods. The longer photoperiods stimulated more rapid growth of ovaries during late winter and early spring. The endocrine system is considered a link in the chain of events regulating seasonal variations in resistance to sudden temperature change.